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The Liberty Lake City Council unanimously approved an ordinance
to assume control of the area's sewer and water district Tuesday
night - but not before a round of spirited debate.
The discussion began when Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District
President Frank Boyle passed out a resolution outlining the utility's
stance on the proposed assumption. The district supports a joint
feasibility study on the issue as well as a public vote on assumption.
A moratorium of 10 years would be in place following the vote.
"We feel that if the vote goes against assumption, there should
be a period of time before it comes up again," Boyle said.
Council Member David Crump suggested the council take time to review
the resolution and respond to the district's proposal.
"We've had no time to peruse this," he said. "What's
the rush to do it now as opposed to two weeks from now?"
Mayor Steve Peterson expressed his desire to move ahead with the
passage of the ordinance and a feasibility study - though he suggested
the city would not support the idea of a vote.
"We need to get underway," he said. "We're trying
to figure out what's in the best interest of the community - that's
what a feasibility study is all about."
Boyle claimed that the district had not received a formal request
from the city for a joint feasibility study. Peterson vigorously
refuted this, saying the city mailed a letter Nov. 6.
Crump then formally invited Boyle and the district to participate
in a joint feasibility study.
"I don't like divisions," Crump said. "We need planned
growth."
Assumption of the district still awaits approval by the Boundary
Review Board. By state law, a municipality can assume control of
a utility if at least 60 percent of ratepayers live within city
limits. Roughly 80 percent of the district's customers reside inside
Liberty Lake.
District commissioners - along with residents who live outside
city limits - have expressed concern that the city lacks the experience
to take over the utility. Non-city residents have also said they
would be denied sufficient representation
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